Float pool

[canadianhungarian]

Hello AN community! Just looking for some info on what you have experienced working in float pool. I have almost 2 years experience working in a rehab hospital and was floated several times (within the last 1.5 years) to medical units to help me gain some experience. I recieved a full time permanent float pool offer 2 weeks ago at a hospital close to where I live and where I did my consolidation. I loved the experience I gained there and was happy when I was given a chance even for an interview recently. I start orientation tomorrow!! Yay!!!

I was just wondering what your experience's are working float pool? I receive 8 weeks of orientation so to me that seemed adequate to see if I can handle this type of position. Ill be starting off in areas I'm familiar in as well as medical/surgical floors after orientation. I'm very very nervous just because of the "newness" of It all but I'm ready to embrace it! I know what it's like to get floated from unit to unit at any point in your shift, and I know what it's like to get the heaviest patient load for the floor. But what else to expect working float? Our shifts are never cancelled since we are full time and have a home base unit. My friends currently work float and they enjoy the variety and the experience. Any extra thoughts?

Thanks all and enjoy the rest of your summer!

[SaoirseRN]

I'm a six year float pool veteran, and I love it. At first you have to get used to the idea that you won't always have the comfort or consistency of having the same assignment two shifts in a row. You get very good at always having "first days" and still getting to know your patients.

I think honestly that floating really helps cement your organizational skills.

I don't always end up with the heaviest assignment. My facility is good about simply slotting the floats into wherever the sick call was assigned. Sometimes I don't have an assignment, so I go to the heaviest floor and help out for the shift. It can be nice being that extra set of hands.

I enjoy knowing people in every department, and knowing each areas quirks. I know that the floors and the Emergency department are equally guilty for the games played around "new admits" because I have seen both sides.

Working more areas opens up increased opportunities for overtime over only working one department. It also makes you resourceful in that you can bring ideas from one area an apply them in another.